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Harlem Dance Theatre Reopens

A special fund-raising campaign has yielded over $1.6 million and this Saturday the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) will reopen, founder and Artistic Director, Arthur Mitchell has announced. Laveen Naidu has been named as the Executive Director. A $500,000 donation may have come from Mayor Bloomberg.

A special fund-raising campaign has yielded over $1.6 million from government, foundation, corporate and individual sources and this Saturday the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) will reopen, founder and Artistic Director, Arthur Mitchell has announced.

The Harlem school's doors reopen December 4 at 9 a.m., after a six-week closure. Six new members have also been elected to DTH's Board of Directors and Laveen Naidu has been named as the Executive Director. Mayor Bloomberg attended a news conference with Mitchell for the announcement. A $500,000 donation from an undisclosed source is believed to have come from Bloomberg, The Black Star News has learned. Mounting debt, to the tune of $2 million had forced the closure. Immediately, supporters emerged from allover the country to save the famous school and performance company. The school still requires additional funding for long-term goals.

The new board and executive director will provide stability and help deflect past charges that the school wasn't efficiently operated. When doors shut, more than 40 dancers were forced to pack. Twenty overjoyed dancers showed their skills to members of the media and government officials, yesterday. DTH's new director, Naidu, has been with the group since 1991.